Plate Element to Guide a Rail and Method for its Manufacture

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a plate element ( 1 - 5; 100 ) for fixing a rail (S) in a rail fixing point. The plate element ( 1 - 5; 100 ) can be manufactured according to the invention in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner under optimal usage conditions such that the plate element ( 1 - 5; 100 ) is made up of at least two parts ( 1   a,    2   a,    3   a,    4   a,    5   a;    1   b,    2   b,    3   b,    4   b,    5 b;  101, 102 ) which are manufactured spatially separate from one another and connected to one another rigidly. In order to manufacture a plate element ( 1 - 5 ) according to the invention the parts ( 1   a,    2   a,    3   a,    4   a,    5   a;    1   b,    2   b,    3   b,    4   b,    5   b;    101, 102 ) are first generated in a first step in spatially separate tools and in a second step are then joined to the plate element ( 1 - 5 ).

The invention relates to a plate element which is provided to guide arail in a rail fixing point and is manufactured from plastics material.

The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a plateelement of this type.

Modern rail fixing points which in particular are used in the area ofheavy goods vehicles or on high-speed lines, regularly comprise variousplate-shaped components manufactured from plastics materials which areused to support and guide the rails to be fixed.

These plate-shaped components for fixing rails include plates known intechnical language as “steering plates”, “packing plates”, “angled guideplates”, “spacer plates”, “pressure distribution plates” and “ribbedplates”.

In practice, steering plates of the type in question here have a dualfunction as part of a system for fixing a rail for railway vehicles. Onthe one hand, they are used for the lateral guiding of the rails andabsorb the transverse forces on them when they are fully assembled onthe tracks, which transverse forces occur when the respectivelysupported rails are being run over in the respective fixing points. Onthe other hand, a spring element is generally supported and guided onthe steering plates, which spring element exerts the required elasticholding force which presses the rails against the respective subsoil.

In order to carry out this dual function, known steering platesgenerally have a contact surface which functions in a fully assembledposition against the foot of the rails to be fixed, against whichcontact surface the rails function when they are being run over by arailway vehicle. The steering plates are supported against therespective subsoil carrying the rails either by means of a supportsurface which is formed on the side of the steering plate which opposesthe contact surface and is turned away from the rails and functionsagainst a shoulder formed on the respective subsoil, or at least afixing element which connects the steering plate rigidly with therespective subsoil.

If the steering plate is formed as an “angled guide plate” then anadditional indent may be formed on the underside of the steering platewhich extends in a longitudinal direction of the steering plate, whichindent sits in an interlocking manner in a correspondingly formed recessof the subsoil when assembled. In this way, the position of the steeringplate is fixed transverse to the longitudinal extension of the rails.

In order to simultaneously be able to tension the springs arranged onthe steering plate against the subsoil, a passage opening leading fromthe upper side to the lower side is regularly created in currentlyconventional steering plates. The tensioning element required to tensionthe respective spring element is inserted through this passage openingin order to couple it to the subsoil carrying the rails. In thisconnection, generally, a screw or a threaded bolt is used as atensioning element, which can be screwed into a screw anchor insertedinto the subsoil.

In order to be able to transport, store and assemble it simply, inaddition to sufficiently high resilience of steering plates of this typefor the dual function described above, in principle a low weight isrequired. This requirement can be met by the steering plates being madefrom a resilient, robust plastics material. Examples of steering platesof this type are described in DE 102 54 679 B4, DE 41 01 198 C1 and DE20 2004 020 816 U1.

Packing plates, spacer plates, pressure distribution plates and ribbedplates are used in rail fixing systems of the type in question in orderto transfer the loads, which occur when the fixing point formed by afixing system of this type is being run over, in the direction ofgravity over a wide area and evenly over the subsoil on which the fixingpoint is constructed. With regard to the local conditions and theirassembly position within the respective rail fixing system, for thispurpose they extend at least over the width of the foot of the railsmeasured transverse to the longitudinal extension of the rails or extendlaterally beyond this. The plates in question then either lie directlyon the respective subsoil in question or are supported by one or aplurality of intermediate layers on the subsoil. Packages of a pluralityof layers consisting of different plates and intermediate layersconsisting of elastic material are also formed, through which a, on theone hand even distribution of the loads which occur and on the otherhand the required elasticity for a long lifetime of the rails to befixed, required elastic resilience of the fixing point in the directionof gravity is ensured.

Ribbed plates are a special case for the plate-shaped components forrail fixings. On their free upper side when assembled two ribs which areparallel to one another and extend in a longitudinal direction to therails to be fixed, which ribs between them define the contact area onwhich the rail to be fixed stands with its rail foot when it isassembled. The ribs are spaced from one another such that they guide therail foot laterally and take on the transverse forces which occur whenthe fixing point formed by the respective rail fixing system is runover.

In practice, plate elements consisting of plastics material of the typein question here are generally manufactured by injection moulding. Evenif plastics material plate elements are used in practice, there is afundamental problem that for example in steering plates, packing platesor ribbed plates comparatively large parts with high wall thickness andmaterial volume are used. This large shape is necessary according tocurrent understanding for the plate elements to be able to absorb thehigh forces generated during practical operation and to providesufficient area to support the rails or the other elements of a railfixing system such as for example each of the spring elements.

As a result of their high thick walls and material volume, comparativelylong processing times are required for the manufacture of known plateelements. Furthermore, they also have a negative effect on rigidity dueto the problems of blending and cooling. As a result, in addition tolong processing times an expensive procedure is required in order toensure an optimal distribution of rigidity over the total volume of theplate elements and in particular to avoid any loss of stability in theregion of the weld seams formed in injection moulding.

It is possible, however, to minimise the required material volume bymeans of a filigree shape optimally adapted to the loads actuallyoccurring. However, an optimal shape of this type regularly results in acomplex design which also entails high requirements in the industrialmanufacture through injection moulding.

Against the background of the above mentioned prior art, the object ofthe invention was to create a plate element which can be manufactured ina particularly simple, cost-effective manner and has optimalcharacteristics. A method for the manufacture of a plate element of thistype should also be given.

In terms of the plate element, this object is achieved according to theinvention by the plate element being designed according to Claim 1.

In terms of the method, the solution to the above mentioned objectaccording to the invention is that the measures given in Claim 15 arecarried out in the manufacture of the plate element according to theinvention.

Advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention are given in thedependent claims and are explained in greater detail below along withthe general concept of the invention.

A plate element according to the invention to fix a rail in a railfixing point is therefore made up of at least two parts which aremanufactured spatially separate from one another which are connected toone another in a rigid manner.

The method according to the invention for the manufacture of a plateelement of this type includes the following steps:

-   -   producing the parts of the plate element in tools which are        spatially separate from one another and    -   joining the parts to the plate element.

As a result, a plate element for a rail fixing is created, which plateelement is made up of at least two parts which are rigidly connected toone another and are initially pre-produced and then joined together in afurther work step such that they are permanently rigidly connected.

A plate element according to the invention is therefore characterised bytwo or more parts which make it up are not joined during the productionof the plate element in the tool used for this purpose in a completedprocess step as would, for example, be possible in injection mouldingmanufacture, but rather the parts of the plate element are joinedtogether in a separate step outside of the tool in which they were made.

The division between the individual parts of a plate element accordingto the invention can be selected such that the individual componentseach individually and in the state when they are combined in the plateelement fulfil the function they are assigned to in an optimal manner.In addition to this, it can be expedient for the divisional plane whichis formed between the two parts to be parallel at least in sections andto be positioned at a distance from a contact surface of the plateelement, with which contact surface the plate element stands on subsoilwhen it is in the position of use. This can be useful, for example, whena lower plate half which is lying on the subsoil and is resistant towear is combined with a second plate half lying thereon which ismanufactured from a material which is complexly malleable and thereforerequired for the formation of the required moulded parts on the upperside of the plate elements but yet is less resistant to wear.

Alternatively, the division between the individual parts of a plateelement according to the invention can also extend from the lower sideto the upper side of the plate element. In this way, for example, asteering plate for lateral guiding of a rail in the section which comesinto direct contact with the lateral edge of the foot of the rail to beguided can be made of a highly wear-resistant material while the sectionof the steering plate which is manufactured independently from the firstsection can consist of a lighter and more malleable material whichenables a lighter weight and a complex shape that despite the lowerrigidity of the material in the second section ensures a sufficientlyhigh inherent stability.

The particular advantage of the invention is that the division of aplate element according to the invention into at least two parts reducesthe cycle times in manufacture. This applies in particular when theparts of the plate element are made of plastics material, since themanufacturing time required for the injection moulding manufacture of aplastics material part is related quadratically to the wall thickness ofthe part in question. In this way, in a process cycle as part of amethod according to the invention in a two-component injection mouldingtool, both parts can be produced at the same time which results in aconsiderable reduction in the idle time required between filling themould and solidifying.

The individual parts of a plate element according to the invention canthen be manufactured together in a tool or in various tools beforeassembly. Simultaneous manufacture in a tool can then be expedient ifthe parts are to be manufactured using a moulding process from materialswhich are identical or at least similar in terms of theirprocessability. This is the case, for example, if the parts of a plateelement according to the invention are manufactured from plasticsmaterials which are allocated reinforcing fibres if required in order toensure the requisite rigidity. In this case, tools are used in which forexample a number of cavities corresponds to the number of parts to beformed in which the individual parts are each manufactured individuallyand separately from the other parts.

Of course, it is also possible for the parts of a plate elementaccording to the invention to be formed in different tools. This methodenables the materials used for the manufacture of the parts in questionto be adapted to the loads which are exerted on these parts duringpractical application. It is conceivable, for example, for a part of theplate element which is highly loaded in practice to be manufactured froma high-strength plastics material, while another part on which filigreemoulded element are to be formed, for example, can be manufactured froma well moulded plastics material which is less rigid. It is alsoconceivable to manufacture the part of a plate element according to theinvention, which lies on the respective subsoil in the installationposition and there under certain circumstances is loaded abrasively,from a plastics material with higher abrasive resistance than the otherpart on the optionally comparatively complexly formed moulded elementshould be in order to guide a spring element or to direct liquids whichhave gathered on the steering plate in a targeted manner.

The considerable time and cost saving which is achieved by the designaccording to the invention and the thus enabled manufacturing prodessalso have a corresponding effect on the plate elements provided forusual use in which the first part and the at least one further part aremade from different materials.

Due to the separate manufacture of the parts which compose a plateelement according to the invention, different materials can further becombined with one another. This means that for loads which are expectedto be particularly high, one part can be manufactured from a metalmaterial such as cast aluminium or cast iron, while the other part canconsist of plastics material.

The plastics materials from which plate elements according to theinvention are typically manufactured are generally thermoplasticplastics materials. These include, for example, polyamides (PA),polypropylenes (PP), polyethylene terephthalates (PET) or generalproducts of polymerisation or polycondensation.

The parts of a plate element according to the invention can be connectedrigidly to one another through force-fit, positive engagement oradhesive bonds, or by a combination or mixture of these types ofconnection.

The manner in which the parts of a plate element according to theinvention are joined together can also be selected depending on theloads which occur in practice or on the technique used for joining orconnecting which is used to join together the pre-produced parts to aplate element according to the invention. It can therefore be expedientif an indent is shaped into the one part in which the other part sits.The indent can be formed such that the part which sits in it iscompletely surrounded by the material of the other part up to an outersurface.

An arrangement of this type can be useful, for example, when the partwhich is sitting in the indent of the other part consists of a plasticsmaterial with high wear resistance and the other part consists of amaterial with high resistance to environmental factors such as UV rays,moisture and temperature but has a comparatively low wear resistance. Inthis case, the outer part protects the other part sitting in its indentfrom environmental factors while the outer surface of the part sittingin the indent forms the layer with which the relevant plate element lieson the subsoil on which the respective rail fixing point is constructed.

The parts which form a plate element according to the invention can alsobe formed such that they interlock with one another in sections. Forthis purpose, at least one recess can be formed on the one part intowhich a protrusion of the other part interlocks. The protrusion of theone part can be formed as a notch which locks with the recess of theother part. For this purpose, the recess can be formed as an indent withwhich the notch of the protrusion of the other part locks. Theprotrusion of the one part can also be slightly larger than the recessof the other part such that by exerting sufficient pressure theprotrusion can be pressed into the recess and is then force-lockedthere.

Another possibility for generating a rigid connection between thecomponent parts of a plate element is by producing an adhesive bond. Forthis purpose, the parts can be bonded together, welded (e.g. byultrasonic welding, friction welding or heating element welding) orsoldered. In order to achieve this, on the one part for example a layercan be provided which effects an adhesive connection with the respectiveother part on contact with the other part automatically or under theinfluence of heat, radiation energy such as UV light, chemical energy orforce. Layers of this type can be formed for example by a film insertedinto the tool of the one part and back injection moulded by the materialof the relevant part which activates after the moulding of the relevantpart.

Special connection means such as screws, nails, rivets, brackets and thelike can of course also be used to hold the parts of the plate elementaccording to the invention together. It is also conceivable to useconventional joining and connection techniques such as clinching orclipping. The use of soluble connection means has the advantage that ifa certain part needs to be replaced due to wear or the entire plateelement needs to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner,the parts can be easily separated from one another.

During assembly, the correct positioning of the parts of a plate elementaccording to the invention can be supported by the parts being connectedtogether articulatedly by means of a hinge. The parts can then bepivoted onto one another about the axis formed by the hinge. To thisend, the hinge can be formed as a film hinge which is produced when theparts are manufactured. To this end, the parts which form a plateelement according to the invention can be produced from plasticsmaterial in the same tool separate from one another with one cavity perpart, wherein the cavities are connected to one another by means of asufficiently narrow channel in which the film hinge which connects thetwo parts articulatedly to one another is moulded. It is alsoconceivable that during the simultaneous injection moulding manufactureof the parts of a plate element the sprues provided to fill the mouldingcavity can be designed such that after the demoulding of the parts theyform a joint about which the parts can be folded together.

Furthermore, the correct positioning of the parts can also be supportedby positioning guides such as moulding marks, pins or the like beingprovided for the correct positioning of the one part on the other part.

The invention is particularly advantageous if the plate element designedaccording to the invention is a steering plate which is provided toguide the rails to respectively be supported laterally in a rail fixingpoint. Due to their comparatively large volumes and the high local loadswhich steering plates of this type have to bear, the advantages of thedesign of a plate element of this type according to the invention areparticularly favourable for fixing rails. In this way, the multipleparts provided according to the invention in particular in steeringplates of this type enable the adaptation of the mechanical and otherproperties of individual sections of the steering plate under theconditions which occur in practice.

Packing plates and ribbed plates can also be manufactured in acost-effective manner according to the invention, which packing platesor ribbed plates can likewise take in large volumes and can havecomplexly moulded in order to minimise their weight and carry out anynecessary support and guiding functions.

The invention therefore provides a plate element for the fixing of railsfor railway vehicles which can be manufactured in a particularlycost-effective manner. This applies in particular if the parts of theplate element are manufactured from plastics material, as the inventionmakes it possible to reduce the cycle time considerably. A positiveeffect with manufacturing from plastics materials is that an improvedmanufacturing quality is achieved through the reduced volume of theindividual parts with respect to the volume of an entire plate element,which manufacturing quality is characterised by minimised delay and alsoby minimised shrinkage. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible tocombine a standardised basic part which is pre-produced in large numbersand therefore cost-effectively with a part which is individually adaptedto the relevant requirements, so that a considerable cost saving can beachieved. For example, if the plate element according to the inventionis a steering plate, a lower part which is always the same can becombined with an upper part which is optimally adapted to the type ofspring element to be supported on the steering plate respectively.

The invention is described below in greater detail by means of figuresshowing exemplary embodiments of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a lateral view of a first plate element in the form of asteering plate;

FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of a second plate element in the form of asteering plate;

FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of a third plate element in the form of asteering plate;

FIG. 4 shows a lateral view of a fourth plate element in the form of asteering plate;

FIG. 5 shows an aerial view of the plate element in accordance with FIG.4;

FIG. 6 shows a section of the plate element in accordance with FIG. 4enlarged in part along the intersection line indicated by X-X in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows an aerial view of a fifth plate element in the form of asteering plate;

FIG. 8 shows a section of the plate element in accordance with FIG. 7enlarged in part along the intersection line indicated by Y-Y in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a sixth plate element;

FIG. 10. shows a first part of the plate element shown in FIG. 9 in aperspective view corresponding to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11. shows a second part of the plate element shown in FIG. 9 in aperspective view corresponding to FIG. 9;

The plate elements shown in the figures presented here by way of examplein the form of steering plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are each made up of twoparts 1 a, 1 b; 2 a, 2 b; 3 a, 3 b; 4 a, 4 b; 5 a, 5 b which arepre-produced separately from one another and then joined together withthe respective plate element 1-5.

The steering plates 1-5 are part of a fixing system for the fixing of arail S for a railway vehicle. The individual components of a fixingsystem of this type are sufficiently known and have, for example,already been described in the above mentioned publications. For example,fixing systems of this type are offered by the applicant under thedesignations “W14”, “W21”, “300” and “304”.l

With a fixing system of this type, a fixing point is formed on a tie orplate made, for example, of concrete, which forms the subsoil U which isonly shown in part in FIG. 1. As such, the subsoil U in question belongsto a fixing point formed using a steering plate 1-5 according to theinvention.

The fixing system thereby comprises a spring element which is generallyco-shaped and designed based on a conventional tensioning clamp, atensioning element formed as a screw or a threaded bolt for tensioningthe spring element against the respective subsoil and one of thesteering plates 1-5. Additional elements can of course also belong tothe system, such as packing plates, elastic sheets etc. in order toachieve a certain resilience of the respective fixing point and anoptimal pressure distribution.

For reasons of clarity, of the components which generally belong to arail fixing system, only the steering plates 1-5 are shown and thesubsoil U indicated in part.

The steering plates 1-5 are each designed based on the known “angledguide plate” and have a square shape when seen from an aerial view. Onone of their longitudinal sides, a contact surface 1 c, 2 c, 3 c, 4 c, 5c is formed which extends over the length L of the steering plate 1-5respectively, with which the respective steering plate 1-5 functionsagainst the foot of a rail S to be fixed in the respective fixing pointwhen fully assembled.

On the opposing longitudinal side of the each steering plate 1-5 asupport surface 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 4 d, 5 d is formed which also extendsover the length L of the respective steering plate 1-5 by means of whichthe steering plate 1-5 is supported against a shoulder 7 when fullyassembled, which shoulder is moulded to the subsoil U carrying thesteering plate 1. The subsoil U shown here only in part can for examplebe formed by a concrete tie, a concrete plate or another fixedcomponent.

On the underside of the steering plates 1-5 associated with the subsoilU a flat contact surface 1 e, 2 e, 3 e, 4 e, 5 e is respectively formedwith which the steering plates 1-5 sits on an also flat contact surface8 of the subsoil U when fully assembled.

In the region in which the transfer between the contact surface 1 e, 2e, 3 e, 4 e, 5 e and the lateral support surface 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 4 d, 5 dtakes place, an indent 1 f, 2 f, 3 f, 4 f, 5 f is also formed in adownwards direction extending over the length L of each steering plate1-5, which indent sits in a correspondingly formed groove 9 on thesubsoil U. In this way, the position of the steering plate 1 in atransverse direction Q to the rails S is fixed to the subsoil U in aninterlocking manner.

A centrally positioned passage opening 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g leadingfrom the upper side to the lower side of the steering plates 1-5 is alsoformed in each of the steering plates 1-5 through which the tensioningelement not shown here for tensioning a spring element supported on theupper side of the steering plate 1 and also not shown here is guidedwhen the fixing system is being assembled.

On the upper side of the steering plates 1-5 moulded elements are formedwhich are provided to guide the central loop of the spring element andto channel off water and other liquids which may collect on the steeringplate 1.

As mentioned above, the steering plates 1-5 are each made up of a firstpart 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a, 5 a and a second part 1 b, 2 b, 3 b, 4 b, 5 b.The two parts 1 a-5 a; 1 b-5 b are each pre-produced fromfibre-reinforced plastics material in spatially separate cavities of aninjection moulding tool not shown here and then joined to the respectivesteering plate 1-5.

The plastics material of the upper part 1 a-5 a of the respectivesteering plate 1-5 shown towards the top in the assembly position(FIG. 1) is set in each case such that it moulds the mould elements tobe formed on the upper side of the respective steering plate 1-5 whichare provided to guide the spring elements which are to be positionedthere in each case or to channel liquids with high precision. Incontrast to this the plastics material of the lower part 1 b-5 b of thesteering plates 1-5 which sits on the subsoil U when assembled (FIG. 1)is adjusted such that the lower parts 1 b-5 b of the steering plates 1-5provide a high level of resistance against abrasive wear.

In the steering plate 1 shown in FIG. 1, the divisional plane 1 iextends between its two parts 1 a, 1 b in each case in parallel to thecontact surface 1 e and to the support surface 1 d connected to thecontact surface 1 e and extends over the total width B and length L ofthe steering plate 1. The two parts 1 a, 1 b of the steering plate 1 areconnected together by means of an adhesive film which has been appliedon the upper surface of the lower part 1 b of the steering plate 1 whichsits on the subsoil U when assembled (FIG. 1) and which is associatedwith the upper part 1 a of the steering plate 1 which is arranged in theupper area when assembled. The adhesive effect of the adhesive film maybe activated for example by the addition of heat or radiation energy.

In the steering plate 2 shown in FIG. 2 a receiving member 2 j is formedinto the upper part 2 a in which the second part 2 b sits in aninterlocking manner. In this way, the second part 2 b is surrounded bythe material of the first part 2 a laterally and on its upper side whileits lower side which is associated with the subsoil U forms the contactsurface 2 e with which the steering plate 2 lies on the subsoil U. Inorder to ensure permanent grip of the second part 2 b in the receivingmember 2 j of the first part 2 a, the second part 2 b may be pressedinto the receiving member 2 j. In addition to the force-lockingconnection achieved in this way, bonding can also be carried out.

In the steering plate 3 shown in FIG. 3, in a reversal of the design ofsteering plate 2 a receiving member 3 j is formed into the lower part 3b, in which receiving member the upper part 3 a of the steering plate 3sits. In this case, the highly wear-resistant material of the lower part3 b surrounds the less resilient but well moulded upper part 3 a made ofplastics material on its side surfaces and its lower side such that onlythe upper side of the upper part 3 a where the moulded parts necessaryto guide each of the spring elements are formed is free. Here, too, theupper part 3 a can be bonded into the receiving member 3 j of the lowerpart 3 b.

In the steering plate 4 shown in FIG. 4 the cavities of the injectionmoulding tools were connected together by means of a channel with aminimal height during the manufacture of the parts 4 a, 4 b, such thatthe parts 4 a, 4 b of the steering plate 4 were connected togetherthrough a thin strip following demoulding. This strip formed a filmhinge 4 h which extends over the length L of the steering plate 4 aroundwhich the parts 4 a, 4 b have been folded in order to join them to thesteering plate 4. In this way, the film hinge 4 h enabled the correctpositioning of the parts 4 a, 4 b in a simple manner. In turn, thedivisional plane 4 i of the parts 4 a, 4 b which extends over the entirewidth B and length L of the steering plate 4 extends substantiallyparallel to the contact surface 4 e of the steering plate 4, wherein itmoves downwards in the region of the indent 4 d.

The connection between the parts 4 a, 4 b in the steering plate 4 shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 is ensured by positive engagement and force-fitlocking.

To this end, recesses 4 k, 4 l, 4 m, 4 n in the form of slits are formedin the upper part 4 a which each extend from the upper side to the lowerside of the upper part and extend in the longitudinal direction of thesteering plate 4. Here, a pair of recesses 4 k, 4 l is formed arrangedat a distance from one another in the section of the upper part 4 aprovided on the one side adjacent to the passage opening 4 g while theother correspondingly positioned pair of recesses 4 m, 4 n is formedinto the section of the upper part 4 a provided on the other side. Therecesses 4 k-4 n each have a sharp-edged indent 4 o protruding into eachrecess 4 k-4 n which extends in each case along the edge of the recesses4 k-4 n turned away from the neighbouring recess 4 k-4 n. On its lowerside associated with the lower part 4 b a protrusion 4 p is formed onthe upper part 4 a in the region of the recesses 4 k-4 n, the lateralfaces of said protrusion being formed in conically tapering manner.

In the region of the lower part 4 b of the steering plate 4 associatedwith the recesses 4 k-4 n a hollow 4 q correspondingly adapted to theshape of the protrusion 4 p is formed, in which hollow the protrusion 4p sits interlocked when the steering plate 4 is fully assembled. Theprotrusion 4 p and the hollow 4 q form a positioning guide in this wayby means of which the correct positioning of the parts 4 a, 4 b isadditionally supported.

In the hollow 4 q of the lower part 4 b, notch protrusions 4 r, 4 s areformed on the lower part 4 b, which notch protrusions lock into therecesses 4 k-4 n associated with them in each case when the steeringplate 4 is fully assembled. With their notches 4 t, they lock in aninterlocking manner with the indent 4 o of the respective recess 4 k-4 nin such a way that the lower part 4 b is held rigidly on the upper part4 a in a captive manner.

In the steering plate 5 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a circular recess 5 k, 5l is formed in the design of a passage opening in each of the sectionsof the upper part 5 a which are provided laterally adjacent to thepassage opening 5 g. In this way, the edge 5 u of the recesses 5 k, 5 lwhich is associated with the lower part 5 u of the steering plate 5 isbevelled in an outwards direction such that a self-centring seat for acorrespondingly shaped protrusion 5 v associated with the respectiverecess 5 k, 5 l is formed, the peripheral surface of which protrusionwhich comes into contact with the bevelled edge region 5 u is formed ina conically tapering manner. The cylindrical, unbevelled upper section 5w of the protrusion 5 v is a slightly larger than the cross-section ofthe opening of the associated recess 5 k, 5 l, such that on the one sidethe correct positioning of the parts 5 a, 5 b is ensured by theself-centring of the protrusion 5 v in the respective recess 5 k, 5 land on the other side the parts 5 a, 5 b can be pressed together suchthat they are connected to one another in a captive, force-fittingmanner. If necessary a force-fitting connection can of course also besupplemented here by a firmly bonded connection such as bonding orthrough a force-fitted connection such as latching. In order to ensurewall thicknesses of the lower part 5 b which are as even as possible, acountersink 5 x is formed into the lower part 5 b from the contactsurface 5 e in the region of the protrusion 5 v.

The plate element 100 shown in FIG. 9 is also a steering plate designedas an angled guide plate which is used in a rail fixing system on theone hand for the lateral guiding of the rails S to be fixed and on theother hand a W-shaped spring element (not shown), a tensioning clamp,sits in fully assembled rail fixing system, which tensioning clampexerts the required elastic holding force on the foot F of the rails tobe fixed S.

The plate element 100 is divided into a front part 101 associated withthe rails S to be fixed and a back part 102 which have been pre-madeseparately from one another and from different materials.

The divisional plane T between the parts 101 and 102 extends over thelength L of the plate element 100 and extends from the upper side 103 tothe lower side 104 of the plate element 100 on which a contact surfaceis formed with which the plate element 100 sits on a concrete tie (notshown) which forms the subsoil carrying the rails when the plate elementis in use.

The first part 101 takes in around a fifth of the width B of the plateelement 100. The divisional plane T is then aligned above the large partof the height H parallel to the flat support surface 105 with which theplate element 100 lies at the lateral edge of the foot of the rails S tobe fixed during use and which is formed on the front side of the firstpart 101 which is associated with the rails S. Only in the upper sectionassociated with the upper side 103 does the divisional plane T bouncewhen a protrusion 106 develops in the direction of the second part 102.With the protrusion 106, the first part 101 lies on a correspondinglyformed indent 107 of the second part 102, wherein the height of theprotrusion 106 is measured such that in the lateral edge regions of theplate element 100 the upper side 103 of the first part 101 and thesecond part 102 pass into one another smoothly.

In contrast, on the upper side of the middle section of the first part101 a guide element 108 is formed which on the one hand defines thepassage opening 109 formed into the first part and on the other handforms a steering for the central loop of the tensioning clamp to bearranged on the plate element 100.

Lateral to the guide element 108 on each side of the guide element 108 anotch recess 110, 111 is subsequently formed from the upper side 103into the first part 101. A notch protrusion 112, 113 reaches into eachof the notch recesses 110, 111, which notch protrusion is formed on thefront end 114 of the second part 102 associated with the first part. Inthis way, the first part 101 and the second part 102 are connected in aninterlocking manner when the plate element 100 is in a ready to usestate, wherein this connection can be released when the notchprotrusions 112, 113 are lifted from the notch recesses 110, 111 and thefirst part 101 is removed from the second part 102.

When the plate element 100 is fully assembled, cheek sections 117, 118formed on the lateral broad sides 115, 116 of the second part 102 andprojecting in the direction of the first part 101 from the front end Eof the second part 102 form a lateral guide which prevents the firstpart 101 from slipping relative to the second part in a longitudinaldirection when loaded. At the same time, the cheek sections 117, 118serve as positioning guides for the simple, correctly positionedalignment of the parts 101, 102.

The first part 101 is formed from a highly-loadable, fibre-reinforcedplastics material and in particular in the section which is adjacent tothe contact surface 105 it is designed to be sturdy so that it cantolerate high frictional loads. In this way, it is ensured that thefirst part 101 reliably takes on the mechanical loads which occur duringuse.

The second part 102 which extends over the rest of the width B and takesin the considerably greater proportion of the volume of the plateelement 100, however, is made of an easily malleable, less loadableplastics material of small thickness and therefore low weight, butstatically designed such that it can easily direct the forces occurringduring use into the subsoil against which it is supported safely.

The division of the plate element 100 makes it possible in order tofurther minimise the weight and increase its inherent stability based onits front side which is associated with the first part 101 to formchambers 119, 120 and braces into the second part 102 which separate thechambers 120 from one another. In this way, not only is high rigidity ofthe second part 102 ensured but it is also attached to the contactsurface provided on the underside 104 of the plate element 100. Thismeans that the loads occurring there are distributed over a large area.Accordingly, the danger of premature wear otherwise associated with theconcentration of mechanical loads, in particular friction loads on smallflat sections is reduced.

In order to support the interlocking between the first and the secondparts 101, 102, protrusions can be formed on the first part 101 withwhich the first part 101 engages into the front openings of the chambers119, 120 with minimised play when the plate element 100 is assembled andready for use.

If one of the parts 101, 102 of the plate element 100 wears out, thenthe relevant part 101, 102 can be exchanged independently of the others.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1-5 steering plates (plate elements according to the invention)

1 a-5 a first part of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 b-5 b second part of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 c-5 c contact surface of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 d-5 d support surface of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 e-5 e contact surface of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 f-5 f indent of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 g-5 g passage opening of the respective steering plate 1-5

1 i divisional plane of the steering plate 1

2 j receiving member of the upper part 2 a of the steering plate 2

3 j receiving member of the lower part 3 b of the steering plate 3

4 h film hinge of the steering plate 4

4 i divisional plane of the steering plate 4

4 k-4 n recesses of the upper part 4 a of the steering plate 4

4 o indents in each of the recess 4 k-4 n

4 p protrusion

4 q hollow

4 r, 4 s notch protrusions

4 t notches

5 k, 5 l recesses of the upper part 5 a of the steering plate 5

5 u lower edge of the recesses 5 k, 5 l

5 v protrusion of the lower part 5 b of the steering plate 5

5 w upper cylindrical section of the protrusion 5 v

5 x countersink

7 shoulder of the subsoil U

8 contact surface of the subsoil U

9 groove of the subsoil U

100 Plate element

101 first part of the plate element 100

102 second part of the plate element 100

103 upper side of the plate element 100

104 lower side of the plate element 100

105 contact surface

106 protrusion of the first part 101

107 indent in the second part 102

108 steering element

109 passage opening

110, 111 notch recesses

112, 113 notch protrusions

114 front edge of the second part 102 facing the first part 101

115, 116 broad sides of the second part 102

117, 118 cheek sections

119, 120 chambers of the first part 101

B respective width of the steering plates 1-5

H height of the plate element 100

L length of the respective steering plates 1-5

Q transverse direction

S rails

T divisional plane between parts 101 and 102

U subsoil

1. A plate element to fix a rail in a rail fixing point, comprising the plate element manufactured from at least two parts which are manufactured spatially separate from one another, which parts are rigidly connected to one another.
 2. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts are manufactured completely independently from one another.
 3. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the dividing plane which extends between the two parts extends at least in sections parallel and at a distance from a contact face of the plate element, with which the plate element is fixed on subsoil in the usage position.
 4. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the dividing plane extends between the two parts from the upper surface to the lower surface of the plate element.
 5. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein a receiving member is formed in one part in which the other part sits.
 6. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein in the one part a recess is formed in which the other part fits in an interlocking manner with a protrusion.
 7. A plate element according to claim 6, wherein the parts are interlocked with one another such that they are captive.
 8. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts are connected to one another in a force-locking manner.
 9. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts are connected to one another in a firmly-bonded manner.
 10. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts are articulatedly connected to one another by means of a hinge.
 11. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts have positioning guides to ensure the exact position of the one part on the other part.
 12. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts consist of different materials.
 13. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the parts are connected to one another by means of an additional connection means.
 14. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein it is a steering plate for the lateral guiding of the rail to be fixed in the respective rail fixing point.
 15. A method for manufacturing a plate element according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: producing the parts of the plate element in tools which are spatially separate from one another, joining the parts to the plate element. 